Diabetes : A silent killer

 

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic, endocrine disorder. It is a chronic non-communicable disease which generally starts insidiously (over a period of long time), and even in the absence of symptoms (hence called as a silent killer). Many individuals are accidently detected as a case of DM when they are investigated for some other reasons like preoperative investigations. It is characterized by a state of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar level) due to insulin deficiency. Insulin is essential hormone produced by the beta cells of Langerhans of pancreas. It is required for metabolism of glucose. In the absence of insulin body cannot metabolize glucose hence it cannot be utilized for body functions leading to a state of chronic hyperglycemia. If this hyperglycemia is not treated in due time it can lead to serious consequences on body like damage to nerves (neuritis) and blood vessels (micro-angiopathies and atherosclerosis).

When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugars to build up in the blood. Diabetes can cause serious health complications including high blood pressure, heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, nervous system failure, and feet problem and lower-extremity amputations.

In the year 2012, DM was a direct cause of death of 1.5 million people and most of them (80%) belonged to low and middle income countries. Asian countries contribute to more than 60% of world’s diabetic burden. The prevalence of DM is expected to raise from 285 million in 2010 to 438 million cases of diabetes in 2030. WHO projects that DM will be a 7th leading cause of death in 2030.

 The three major symptoms of diabetes are:

• Polyuria - the need to urinate frequently.
• Polydipsia - increased thirst & fluid intake.
• Polyphagia - increased appetite.

 Type I diabetes

Type I diabetes usually occurs in people who are below the age 20 and that is why it is also called as juvenile diabetes. In this type, the body becomes partially or completely unable to produce insulin. Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease. In this, your immune system attacks the pancreas from where the insulin is produced, thereby making the pancreas inefficient or unable to produce insulin. Type I diabetes cannot be prevented, it can only be controlled with healthy lifestyle changes.

Type II diabetes

Type II diabetes is more common than Type I diabetes in India. Type II diabetes usually happens to people who are above the age of 40. This type of diabetes is caused due to insulin resistance. In this case, the pancreas produces insulin but the body is not able to respond to it properly. There can be many reasons behind type II diabetes. Some of the reasons can be being overweight, high blood pressure, having a poor diet, taking too much stress, hormone imbalance, certain medications and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Though type II diabetes can be reversed.

Other types of Diabetes are as follows:

Gestational Diabetes: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. The definition applies whether insulin or only diet modification is used for treatment and whether or not the condition persists after pregnancy. It does not exclude the possibility that unrecognized glucose intolerance may have antedated or begun concomitantly with the pregnancy.

Prediabetes: Prediabetes means that your blood sugar level is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be type 2 diabetes. Without lifestyle changes, people with prediabetes are very likely to progress to type 2 diabetes. If you have prediabetes, the long-term damage of diabetes — especially to your heart, blood vessels and kidneys — may already be starting.

Secondary Diabetes: Secondary diabetes is diabetes that results as a consequence of another medical condition. Because the cause of diabetes ranges between different conditions, the way in which blood glucose levels are controlled can also vary. Secondary diabetes will often be permanent but for some forms, it may be possible to reverse or eradicate the effects of hyperglycemia.

Maturity Diabetes: Maturity onset diabetes of the young ( MODY), it is a rare form of diabetes which is different from both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and runs strongly in families. MODY is caused by a mutation (or change) in a single gene. If a parent has this gene mutation, any child they have, has a 50 per cent chance of inheriting it from them.

If a child does inherit the mutation they will generally go on to develop MODY before they’re 25, whatever their weight, lifestyle, ethnic group etc.

Both Type-1 and Type-2 form of diabetes are lifelong conditions. Once diagnosed, one will always have it. However one can manage proactively for their diabetes, long term risks and complications can be minimised. Genetics and Environmental factors are two of the known risk factors for developing diabetes. In Type-1 diabetes, the symptom generally comes on rapidly and in case of Type-2 diabetes, the symptom usually developed gradually.         

Type-1 diabetes treatment: Insulin therapy is required with healthy food plan and physical activity.

Type-2 diabetes treatment: DM (Type 2) is a preventable disease with simple life style modifications like diet and regular physical exercise.

In general screening is important for early detection of Diabetes. In gestational diabetes, the mother may go on to develop Type-2 diabetes. To prevent and manage the gestational diabetes, physical exercise and cut off addiction of alcohol and smoking may reduce the risk factors.     

I had thoroughly studies on Diabetes Mellitus in my researched based ISC Biology Project / Assignment work. I have informed / discussed my project work about different types of Diabetes, its signs, symptoms, risk factors, complications, Management and Control through different articles of my Blog. DM is a treatable disease. DM can be controlled and complications can be prevented with early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

I believe my effort will be only successful if all such information helps in Prevention, Control, Manage and finally Survive lives in society from Diabetes.